Operatives of the Edo State police command with the help of the vigilante Security Network, on Saturday, rescued 13 persons who were kidnapped within the state.
The rescue took place in Ahor axis of Aduwawa Bypass, along Benin-Auchi Expressway, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of the state.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Philip Ogbadu while addressing newsmen said the rescue was successful through the help of drones deployed by the command and assistance from hunters, members of the Vigilante Security Network set up by the state government.
He revealed that the team was able to track the kidnappers based on information they received.
“We took courage to enter the forest. This is how we would proceed with the operations going forward.”
He disclosed that so far, about 7 camps have been identified, adding that the police is to visit the camps often to ensure that the kidnappers do not return.
He added that the rescued victims have been taken to the Hospital for medical examination before being handed over to the state government for dispersal to their destinations.
CP Ogbadu enjoined residents in communities to provide relevant information to the authorities about the activities of kidnappers while reaffirming that, the command will not relent in its plan to rid the state of kidnappers.
Coordinator of the Edo State Community Vigilante Security Network, Mr. Yusuf Haruna, expressed that the success of the operation goes far to show the security structure the State Government has put in place in identifying crime and criminality in the state.
The persons rescued were different sets of people that were en-route to different destinations on Thursday.
A set comprised of persons travelling from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State, while the other were travelling from Lagos to Akwa Ibom State.
